CONCORD, N.H. — According to a report released on Thursday by the New Hampshire attorney general’s office, two officers from the New Hampshire State Police acted within their legal rights when they fatally shot a man who pointed a loaded firearm at them. As a result, Attorney General John Formella confirmed that no criminal charges will be brought against the involved officers.
The incident took place on March 8, when officers shot and killed 36-year-old Joseph Russell during a foot pursuit initiated while they were assisting local police from Rochester. This chase began after the Rochester police were searching for Russell in connection with several vehicle theft incidents and located him driving in the city, located approximately 21 miles northwest of Portsmouth.
The situation escalated when police intercepted Russell on Route 16, prompting him to leave his vehicle behind and flee on foot. It was also revealed that Russell was in possession of a firearm during this time. When both Rochester and state police officers located him in a nearby residential area, they pursued him and instructed him to halt his flight. During this pursuit, a trooper deployed a police dog, which managed to bring Russell down to the ground.
At this critical moment, officers reported witnessing Russell drawing his gun and aiming it directly at State Police Sergeant Gary Wood, Trooper Jacob Hunt, and another officer. In response to this imminent threat, Officers Wood and Hunt discharged their weapons, resulting in Russell’s death at the scene. The attorney general’s assessment concluded that the officers’ use of force was warranted given the circumstances they faced.